I was talking on the phone earlier today with Blackjack & part of our conversation was about guys in pool who never seem to get the credit that should be due them. Right off the bat, we agreed that Jerry Forsyth & George Fels were two who have to be at or near the top of any list of guys in pool who don't seem to ever get lots of praise or attention.
Jerry Forsyth is such a good commentator! I love watching the World Pool Championships when he's the featured commentator! Grady, Billy, Danny, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Freddy, etc at Accu-Stats are always receiving must deserved praise for the work they do. I think I've raved about Grady & Billy more than anyone else, but Jerry is every bit as good and interesting in his own style, and we're glad that he's been getting more & more work at Accu-Stats. I also appreciate Jerry's coverage of the major tournaments as well as his insightful and thoughtful posts that he contributes here at AZB. He and his wife also do much to help many outside of pooldom, but he's too humble to mention much about his many acts of benevolence.
George Fels has been one of my favorite writers for as long as I can remember. I have his book "Mastering Pool" that was published in 1977. I have large chunks of that memorized! His stories on the back page every month in Billiards Digest are worth the price of the subscription by themselves. I thought his stories on Billy Incardona, Danny DiLiberto and Johnny Ervolino were exceptional pieces of work!
Another one of my picks for a guy who doesn't get enough credit is Mike Gefner. He writes full length biographical stories on the pro players, usually alternating each month between a men's pro and a women's pro. His features are, in my opinion, the very best reading as far as biographical stories goes. Not only does he give lots of facts, he has the ability to present the subject in a way that after reading the story, you feel like you almost know the person you just read about. What a gifted writer, and thank goodness he uses that talent to promote the pro pool players!
Tom Shaw HAS to make my list as well. He is a pre-eminant pool historian who has researched and written about the greats of yesteryear. Without his diligent research and deep love and appreciation for the great players of our great sport, I'm afraid that many, if not most of these legends would be lost in the memories of former generations. My personal favorite part about pool (besides playing) is studying and researching the great players. I can't tell you how many times I've traded info or tidbits back & forth with Tom. Any time I call, he always has time to talk. I remember fondly how nice it is to "hang out with" Tom & Jerry (Forsyth) at the Pool & Billiards booth at Valley Forge. Oh the stories those two have! Insights galore into the lives of the great players, past & present. I'm honored to call them my friends!
Also, it wouldn't be right to say all this without a special thank you to Blackjack. There are several people on AZB who's word to me is like GOLD...SJM especially. But Dave has been such a buddy! It's so nice to have a friend who also loves and appreciates the people in pool. I for one am glad we have so many great people on these forums. It wouldn't be the place it is without all of us loving our sport as we do.
I would be very interested in hearing other's opinions on who THEY think is not given enough credit in our sport.
Jerry Forsyth is such a good commentator! I love watching the World Pool Championships when he's the featured commentator! Grady, Billy, Danny, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Freddy, etc at Accu-Stats are always receiving must deserved praise for the work they do. I think I've raved about Grady & Billy more than anyone else, but Jerry is every bit as good and interesting in his own style, and we're glad that he's been getting more & more work at Accu-Stats. I also appreciate Jerry's coverage of the major tournaments as well as his insightful and thoughtful posts that he contributes here at AZB. He and his wife also do much to help many outside of pooldom, but he's too humble to mention much about his many acts of benevolence.
George Fels has been one of my favorite writers for as long as I can remember. I have his book "Mastering Pool" that was published in 1977. I have large chunks of that memorized! His stories on the back page every month in Billiards Digest are worth the price of the subscription by themselves. I thought his stories on Billy Incardona, Danny DiLiberto and Johnny Ervolino were exceptional pieces of work!
Another one of my picks for a guy who doesn't get enough credit is Mike Gefner. He writes full length biographical stories on the pro players, usually alternating each month between a men's pro and a women's pro. His features are, in my opinion, the very best reading as far as biographical stories goes. Not only does he give lots of facts, he has the ability to present the subject in a way that after reading the story, you feel like you almost know the person you just read about. What a gifted writer, and thank goodness he uses that talent to promote the pro pool players!
Tom Shaw HAS to make my list as well. He is a pre-eminant pool historian who has researched and written about the greats of yesteryear. Without his diligent research and deep love and appreciation for the great players of our great sport, I'm afraid that many, if not most of these legends would be lost in the memories of former generations. My personal favorite part about pool (besides playing) is studying and researching the great players. I can't tell you how many times I've traded info or tidbits back & forth with Tom. Any time I call, he always has time to talk. I remember fondly how nice it is to "hang out with" Tom & Jerry (Forsyth) at the Pool & Billiards booth at Valley Forge. Oh the stories those two have! Insights galore into the lives of the great players, past & present. I'm honored to call them my friends!
Also, it wouldn't be right to say all this without a special thank you to Blackjack. There are several people on AZB who's word to me is like GOLD...SJM especially. But Dave has been such a buddy! It's so nice to have a friend who also loves and appreciates the people in pool. I for one am glad we have so many great people on these forums. It wouldn't be the place it is without all of us loving our sport as we do.
I would be very interested in hearing other's opinions on who THEY think is not given enough credit in our sport.
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